Theodore Roosevelt 2 Essay, Research Paper

Theodore Roosevelt

The life of Theodore Roosevelt (1858 1919)

was one of constant activity, immense energy,

and enduring accomplishments. As the

twenty-sixth President of the United States,

Roosevelt was the wielder of the Big Stick, the

builder of the Panama Canal, an avid

conservationist, and the nemesis of the

corporate trusts that threatened to monopolize

American business at the start of the century.

His exploits as a Rough Rider in the

Spanish-American War and as a cowboy in the

Dakota Territory were indicative of his spirit

of adventure and love of the outdoors. Reading

and hunting were lifelong passions of his;

writing was a lifelong compulsion.

After graduating magna cum laude, from the

Harvard University, Theodore began to lay the

building blocks for his public career. He began

one of the most historic political careers ever.

Roosevelt put his early political years in these

words, I rose like a rocket .

After being a New York Assemblyman, United

States Civil Commissioner, Assistant Secretary

of the Navy, Roosevelt played a significant role

in the Spanish-American War. The Spanish, who

once thrived in the new world, really only

controlled Cuba now. But the Cubans attempted

several times to receive their independence. The

Cubans were mistreated, so the United States

stepped in. War was declared against Spain by

the United States. As the war went on Roosevelt

began a group called the Rough Riders. This

group consisted of largely cowboys, Indians, and

college athletes. The group was led by Teddy and

Colonel Leonard Wood.

On June 30, the Rough Riders marched to

Santiago. Then On July 1, the Rough Riders

played a huge role in the American victory at

San Juan Hill. Now with the Hills, Teddy the

Rough Riders and the rest of the American

troops, were ready to attack Santiago. Later,

because Spain could not fight anymore, Spain

asked for a peace agreement. Now Teddy was a

war hero, this is nothing but help his chances

for the U.S. President spot.

After holding the governor spot over New

York, Theodore ran as Vice President with

William McKinley. On September 6, 1901 President

McKinley was assassinated by, a anarchist named

Leon Czolgosz. And the Rough Rider, cowboy, was

now the President of the United States.

Although only 42, by far the youngest president

in the nation s history up to that time,

Roosevelt brought solid qualifications to the

office. No event had a more profound effect

on Theodore Roosevelt s political career.

As the President, Roosevelt look out for the

best interest of the United States. In dealing

with business, President Roosevelt was

determined to see that no Big Business had a

monopoly. As a result in early 1902, the

attorney-general was ordered by Teddy to file a

suit against The Northern Securities Company,

which was a railroad investment company. The

company controlled 3 major railroads in the

Northwest. The Northwest Securities Company was

charged with being a monopoly, under the Sherman

Antitrust Act. The Supreme Court later ruled on

the case a said the Northern Securities Company

must be broken up because they were combination

in restraint of trade. Because of the success

that Roosevelt won in this case, he brought

charges on over 40 more Big Businesses. The

most important businesses broken up by the

Supreme Court, as a result of Roosevelt s

actions were the Standard Oil Company and the

American Tobacco Company. Because the antitrust

cases were took so long to get to the Supreme

Court, Roosevelt asked Congress to pass the

Expedition Act, which sped the process.

Roosevelt did not discriminate big businesses

simply because they were big, he looked for the

businesses that posed a threat to the public.

Roosevelt s action against big businesses won

him the title trust buster .

One of the biggest challenge Roosevelt took

on was getting the Panama Canal built. The

United States and Great Britain signed a treaty

which gave the U.S. exclusive rights to build,

and operate a canal in Central America. There

was some disagreement where the canal would be

built, but the final decision was Panama, where

a French company had been digging but went

bankrupt. In June of 1902 congress passed the

Isthmian Canal Act, which authorized the

purchase of the French land for $40 million.

But the United States also had to get control of

the canal zone from what was then Colombia.

Secretary of State made an agreement with Thomas

Herran to purchase, the right to control the

land, for $10 million plus $250,000 yearly. The

U.S. Senate accepted it but, the Colombian

senate rejected the offer, hoping to get more

money. At this point Roosevelt considered

taking the land by force. He called

them(Colombian senate) corrupted, and he said

they were trying to black-mail the United

States. But the people who lived in Panama were

resentful to Colombia government, and a revolt

was inevitable. The revolt was funded by the

French Company. Roosevelt ordered the U.S. Navel

forces to keep Colombian troops from getting

into Panama, to end the revolt. Panama

succeeded, mainly due to the help of the U.S.

Navy. An agreement was made and the U.S. began

to build the Panama Canal.

Roosevelt was an outdoorsman, he enjoyed

everything about the outdoors. He was

determined to conserve nature. He made huge

steps to conserve nature. He called National

Conservation Conference at the White House.

Which resulted in many states creating a

conservative commission. He also added 150

million acres to the national forest reserve.

And passed several acts to conserve and benefit

the United States natural resources. Conserving

nature is just a part of his great legacy.

Teddy Roosevelt led a highly successful

life, until his last day. He will be forever

remembered as one of the United States greatest

Presidents

Bib. Page

1. A Beka Book: United States History p. 439-56

2. Bob Jones: United States Hitstory p.384-94

3. Bob Jones: American Government p.150-51

4. The American Nation p.585-90

5. www.npg.si.edu